Article carrier



July 11, 1967 P. J. wooo ARTICLE CARRIER Filed Feb. 1, 1965 R O D mm w W J E l T N E R P 4 6 4 8 4 7 2 o 5 m T 6 4 F 3 lilivlii 3 2 4 3 o e 6. m 3 8 4 Z 5 ll 2 0 a a 8 T 6 Z 2 2 ATTORNEY FIG.4

United States Patent 3,330,463 ARTICLE CARRIER Prentice J. Wood, Jonesboro, Ga., assignor to The Mead Corporation, a corporation of Ohio Filed Feb. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 429,224 8 Claims. (Cl. 229-40) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The article carrier as disclosed herein is of the wraparound open ended sleeve type having a top panel 1, side walls 2 and 4 foldably joined to the side edges of top panel 1 and a composite bottom panel incorporating lap panels 6 and 8 secured together by suitable locking tabs 22 and 23 which are driven through the apertures defined by retaining tabs 24 and 25. The carton is provided with conventional can separating elements 12, 13 and 14 which are struck out of the top panel 1 together with medial separator tabs 26, 27 and 28 foldably joined to the lap panel 6. In addition holding can chime engaging retaining tabs 32 and 33 are formed in lap panel 6 and are folded into positions of parallel relationship to panel 6 so as to hold the bottom portions of the cans against dislodgment through the ends of the wrapper. Similarly tabs 34 and 35 are formed in lap panel 8 and perform the same functions as tabs 32 and 33. At the top of the carton and in accordance with the invention, holding straps 48 are disposed astride the four upper corners of the carton and are held in their article retaining positions by anchoring straps 49, straps 48 and 49 being foldably joined to panels 1 and 2 respectively along diagonal fold lines 50 and 53. Holding strap 48 foldably joined to anchoring strap 49 along a fold line 56 which is generally perpendicular to fold line 3 which defines the corner of the carton at which side wall 2 is foldably joined to top panel 1. Fold lines 50 and 53 are in general alignment with each other and are interconnected by severance lines 51, 52 and 54. Severance lines 57 and 58 separate holding strap 48 from anchoring strap 49.

This invention relates to article carriers and more particularly to wrapper type carriers of the open end type and is directed primarily to means for preventing dislodgement of the packaged items through the open ends of the carrier.

In one known open ended Wrapper type carrier, packaged items such as cans are secured within the package by means of slits formed at the corners of the wrapper and which receive a portion of the chimes of the packaged cans. While such slits perform satisfactorily under normal conditions, it is possible to rupture the slit and thereby to allow the packaged items to escape from the wrapper through the open ends thereof under unusually severe stress condition or when the wrapped is weakened due to excessive dampnessand the like.

When the wrapper type packages are used in conjunction with bottles, it is some times the practice to hold the upper ends or the neck portions of the bottles within the confines of the wrapper by simply forming holes in a panel of the Wrapper and allowing the bottle necks to protrude therethrough. Such packages normally require a substantial element of precision in the formation of the package in that the holes must be aligned with a precisely positioned package group in order to form the package initially.

In another type of wrapper it is the practice to retain primary packages in the form of cans having recessed ends by simply using a holding tab struck out of a panel of the wrapper which is parallel to the end of the can and folded 180 degrees into contacting relation with the 3,3305463 Patented July 11, 1967 ends of the adjacent can. The tabs then prevent dislodgement of the cans through the open ends of the wrapper by simply abutting the chimes of the cans. Such packages are subject to failure when unusual stress conditions are applied or when the wrapper and its associated tabs are weakened due to excess dampness and the like.

A principal object of this invention is the provision of an improved article retaining means for wrapper type carriers of the open ended type and wherein such means is peculiarly adapted for use in conjunction with a package which is wrapped about an article groupas distinguished from an open ended carrier which is loaded through one or both its ends.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved article holding strap which is arranged for disposition astride the corners of a wrapper type package and which is peculiarly adapted for folding into its normal holding position simultaneously with the formation of the wrapper about an article group.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an improved anchoring strap arranged to cooperate with the improved holding strap of this invention, the two straps being foldably joined to different side walls of the wrapper in such a way that they may cooperate in causing the holding strap to occupy a position astride the corner of the wrapper upon completion of the article forming operation.

The invention in one form as applied to a tubular type wrapper having a pair of wall panels foldably joined to each other along adjacent side edges comprises a holding strap foldably joined to one of said walls along a diagonal fold line and extending across the fold line between the wall panels and into the other wall panel, and an anchoring strap foldably joined to the other wall panel along a diagonal fold line which preferably is in general alignment with the fold line between the holding strap and the one side wall when the panels are disposed in a common plane, the holding and anchoring straps being foldably joined to each other preferably along a fold line which is disposed in generally perpendicular relationship to the fold line between the wall panels. Thus when an article group is assembled and the one wall panel is placed atop the articles to be packaged and the other wall panel is folded downwardly, the holding and anchoring straps are then folded by machine elements or otherwise downwardly and generally toward the article group to be packaged. When the package is complete the anchoring strap is disposed along side the wall panel to which it is foldably joined and inwardly thereof and is held in this position by the adjacent packaged article. Of course, the holding strap is thus maintained in a diagonal position astride the corner of the carrier and is disposed as to prevent positive dislodgement of the adjacent packaged article.

While I have shown and described the invention as being particularly useful in connection with primary packages in the form of cylindrical cans, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto'and that it may be used in conjunction with packaged items other than cylindrical packages. In fact the invention may be applied for packaging bottles under particular circumstances and especially in connection with the bottom portions thereof.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a set-up article carrier of the open ended tubular type with the packaged articles removed and to which the holding means of this invention is applied; FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the blank from which the carrier of FIG. 1 is formed and which shows the improved holding means; FIG. 3 is an end view of the wrapper depicted in FIG. 1 and showing one can positioned within the wrapper on the left side thereof; and FIG. 4 is a plan view of a blank from which the wrapper is formed.

In the drawing the numeral 1 is used to designate the top wall panel. Side wall panel 2 is foldably adjoined to top wall panel 1 along the fold line 3 while side wall panel 4 is foldably adjoined to top wall panel 1 along fold line 5. The bottom of the carrier is a composite wall comprising lap panel 6 which is foldably joined to side wall 2 along the fold line 7, and another lap panel 8 which is foldably joined to side wall 4 along fold line 9.

A pair of finger gripping apertures 10 and 11 are formed in top wall panel 1 for facilitating portability as is well known. Also formed in top panel 1 are separator tabs 12, 13, and 14 which are foldably joined respectively to the main panel 1 along fold lines 15, 16 and 17.

In order to facilitate tightening of the wrapper about a group of articles to be packaged, a pair of tightening apertures 18 and 19 are formed in lap panel 6 while a similar pair of tightening apertures 20 and 21 are formed in lap panel 8. As is well understood in the art, suitable machine elements enter the tightening apertures 1821 and operate in such a way as to draw the lap panel 6 and the lap panel 8 in the general direction of each other. After the desired degree of tautness is achieved, lap panels 6 and S are locked together by means of locking tabs 22 and 23 which are formed in lap panel 8 and which are driven in the openings defined by retaining tabs 24 and 25 in lap panel 6.

For the purpose of separating the articles in one row from the articles in the other row at the bottom of the package, a plurality of separator tabs 26, 27 and 28 are folded upwardly along their respective fold lines 29, 30 and 31.

For the purpose of retaining the bottom portion of the packaged cans C against dislodgement through the ends of the wrapper, retaining tabs 32 and 33 are formed in lap panel 6 while similar retaining tabs 34 and 35 are formed in lap panel 8. In operation, these can retaining tabs are folded inwardly along their respective hinge lines 36, 37, 38 and 39 into positions of substantially fiat face contacting parallel relation with the inner surfaces of the respective lap panels. In order to facilitate the gripping action of the tabs 3235, web panels 40, 41, 42 and 43 are formed at the inner ends of the hinge lines.3639 inclusive.

For the purpose of holding the upper ends of the cans C within the wrapper and in accordance with this invention, holding means designated generally by the numerals 44, 45, 46 and 47 are provided at each upper comer of the wrapper. Since the holding means 44-47 are all identical in construction, only one such structure identified at 44 will be described in detail. As best shown in FIG. 2, the holding means 44 comprises a holding strap generally designated by the numeral 48 and an anchoring strap generally designated by the numeral 49. Holding strap 48 is foldably joined along diagonal fold line 50 to the top wall panel 1. Holding strap 48 is separated from top panel 1 along a short severance line 51 and is also separated from the wall panel 2 along a severance line 52 which forms a continuation of the severance line 51. Anchoring strap 49 is foldably joined along diagonal fold line 53 to the side wall panel 2. Fold lines 50 and 53 are in general alignment. Anchoring strap 49 is separated from the main wall 2 along severance line 54 disposed on the right hand side of the fold line 53 as viewed in FIG. 2 and by a short severance line 55 disposed on the left hand side of the fold line 53 as viewed in FIG. 2. Severance line 54 forms a continuation of severance line 52 as will be obvious from FIG. 2. Holding strap 48 and anchoring strap 49 are interrelated by a fold line 56 which is disposed in generally perpendicular relationship to the fold line 3 between wall panels 1 and 2. Disposed at the right hand end of fold line 56 is a severance line 57 which extends to the severance line 54, 52 and a severance line 58 is disposed at the left hand end of fold line 56 and constitutes a separation between the holding and the anchoring straps. The slit 59 is for the purpose of rendering the anchoring and holding straps readily foldable so as to facilitate the formation of the carrier.

While the holding means of the invention is shown in the drawing as being only at the upper corners, it can be used at the lower corners as well.

The invention as shown in the drawing and as described thus far is particularly adaptable for use in conjunction with open ended article carriers which are wrapped about an assembled article group in order to form the package. For example, with the wall panel 1 disposed atop a group of articles to be packaged, such as a plurality of cans, the side walls 2 and 4 are folded downwardly along the fold lines 3 and 5 respectively, and simultaneously the holding strap 48 is swung inwardly so as to become disposed astride the corner of the carrier. During these folding operations the anchoring strap 49 is swung inwardly of the carrier along the hinge line 53, the anchoring and holding straps being interrelated by the hinge line 56. When the package forming operation is completed, the anchoring strap 49 is disposed in flat face contacting relation along the inside surface of its associated side wall and the associated holding strap is disposed in its package holding position as shown for example in FIGS. 1 and 3. The upper portion of the adjacent can C engages the end of holding strap 48 which is remote from its hinge line 50 and holds that portion of the holding strap in flat substantially face contacting relation to the associated anchoring strap 49 and thereby maintains the two straps in secure position between the can and the adjacent side wall of the carrier.

One advantage of the invention to which substantial economy of material may be attributed is illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein a particular carrier blank is depicted in solid lines and wherein a portion of a nested adjacent blank is depicted in dotted lines.

While I have shown and described a particular embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto and that I intend in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an excluiive property or privilege is claimed are defined as folows:

1. An article carrier comprising a pair of wall panels foldably joined together along adjacent side edges, a holding strap foldably joined to one of said wall panels near one corner thereof, and an anchoring strap foldably joined to the other of said wall panels and near said holding strap, said holding and anchoring straps being foldably joined together along a fold line generally perpendicular to the fold line between said wall panels whereby portions of said straps may be folded into fiat face contacting relation when said wall panels are folded into substantially normal relation to each other so as to secure said holding strap in its holding position astride the corner defined by said wall panels at one end edge of the carrier.

2. An article carrier comprising a pair of wall panels foldably joined together along adjacent side edges, a holding strap foldably joined to one of said wall panels near one corner thereof and having one edge thereof in general alignment with the adjacent end edge of said one wall panel, and an anchoring strap foldably joined to the other of said wall panels and near said holding strap, said holding and anchoring straps being foldably joined together along a fold line generally perpendicular to the fold line between said wall panels whereby portions of said straps may be folded into flat face contacting relation when said wall panels are folded into substantially normal relation to each other so as to secure said holding strap in its holding position astride the corner defined by said wall panels at one end edge of the carrier.

3. An article carrier comprising a pair of wall panels foldably joined together along adjacent side edges, a holding strap foldably joined to one of said panels near one corn-er thereof along a diagonal fold line, and an anchoring strap foldably joined to the other of said wall panels and near said holding strap, the fold lines between said holding and said anchoring straps and their associated wall panels being in general alignment when said wall panels are disposed in a common plane, said holding and anchoring straps being foldably joined together along a common fold line disposed at a substantial angle to the aligned fold lines and generally perpendicular to the fold line between said Wall panels whereby portions of said straps may be folded into flat face contacting relation when said wall panels are folded into substantially normal relation to each other so as to secure said holding strap in its holding position astride the corner defined by said wall panels at one end edge of the carrier.

4. An article carrier comprising a pair of wall panels foldably joined together along adjacent side edges, a holding strap foldably joined to one of said wall panels near one comer thereof along a diagonal fold line, said holding strap being detached from said one wall panel along a first severance line extending from one end of said diagonal fold line to the adjacent side edge of said one wall panel and said holding strap being detached from the other Wall panel along a second severance line connecting with said first severance line, and an anchoring strap foldably joined to the other of said wall panels and near said holding strap, said holding and said anchoring straps being foldably joined together whereby portions of said straps may be folded into flat face contacting relation when said wall panels are folded into substantially normal relation to each other so as to secure said holding strap in its holding position astride the comer defined by said Wall panels at one end edge of the carrier.

5. An article carrier comprising a pair of wall panels foldably joined together along adjacent side edges, a holding strap foldably joined to one of said wall panels near one corner thereof, and an anchoring strap foldably joined to the other of said wall panels near Said holding strap and along a diagonal fold line, said anchoring strap being detached from said other wall panel at at least one end of said diagonal fold line, said holding and said anchoring straps being foldably joined together whereby portions of said straps may be folded into flat face contacting relation when said wall panels are folded into substantially normal relation to each other so as to secure said holding strap in its holding position astride the corner defined by said wall panels at one end edge of the carrier.

6. An article carrier comprising a pair of wall panels foldably joined together along adjacent side edges, a holding strap foldably joined to one of said wall panels near one corner thereof along a diagonal fold line, said holding strap being detached from said one Wall panel along a first severance line extending from one end of said diagonal fold line to the adjacent side edge of said one wall panel and said holding strap ibeing detached from the other wall panel along a second severance line connecting with said first severance line, and an anchoring strap foldably joined to the other of said wall panels near said holding strap and along a diagonal fold line,

said anchoring strap being detached from said other wall panel at at least one end of its diagonal fold line, said holding and said anchoring straps being foldably joined together whereby portions of said straps may be folded into flat face contacting relation when said wall panels are folded into substantially normal relation to each other so as to secure said holding strap in its holding position astride the corner defined by said wall panels at one end edge of the carrier.

7. An article carrier comprising a pair of wall panels foldably joined together along adjacent side edges, a holding strap foldably joined to one of said wall panels near one corner thereof along a diagonal fold line, said holding strap being detached from said one wall panel along a first severance line extending from one end of said diagonal fold line to the adjacent side edge of said one wall panel and said holding strap being detached from the other wall panel along a second severance line connecting with said first severance line, and an anchoring strap foldably joined to the other of said wall panels near said holding strap and along a diagonal fold line, said anchoring strap being detached from said other wall panel at at least one end of said diagonal fold line, said holding and said anchoring straps being foldably joined together whereby portions of said straps may be folded into flat face contacting relation when said wall panels are folded into substantially normal relation to each other so as to secure said holding strap in its holding position astride the corner defined by said wall panels at one end edge of the carrier, the fold line between said holding and said anchoring straps being generally perpendicular to the fold line between said wall panels.

8. An article carrier comprising a pair of wall panels foldably joined together along adjacent side edges, a holding strap foldably joined to one of said wall panels near one corner thereof, an anchoring strap foldably joined to the other of said wall panels and near said holding strap, said holding and anchoring straps being foldably joined together along a fold line generally perpendicular to the fold line between said wall panels whereby portions of said straps may be folded into fiat face contacting relation when said wall panels are folded into substantially normal relation to each other so as to secure said holding strap in its holding position astride the corner defined by said wall panels at one end edge of the carrier, and a weakening slit formed in said holding strap for facilitating the manipulation thereof during formation of the carrier.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,943,427 7/ 1960 Fisher 53-29 2,974,848 3/ 1961 Fielding 22927 3,049,282 8/1962 Chidsey et al 229-40 3,128,010 4/1964 Forrer 220-112 3,181,727 4/ 1965 Graser et a1. 220 -115 3,224,630 12/1965 Spery 220-103 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner. GEORGE O. RALSTON, Examiner. R. PESHOCK, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN ARTICLE CARRIER COMPRISING A PAIR OF WALL PANELS FOLDABLY JOINED TOGETHER ALONG ADJACENT SIDE EDGES, A HOLDING STRAP FOLDABLY JOINED TO ONE OF SAID WALL PANELS NEAR ONE CORNER THEREOF, AND AN ANCHORING STRAP FOLDABLY JOINED TO THE OTHER OF SAID WALL PANELS AND NEAR SAID HOLDING STRAP, SAID HOLDING AND ANCHORING STRAPS BEING FOLDABLY JOINED TOGETHER ALONG A FOLD LINE GENERALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE FOLD LINE BETWEEN SAID WALL PANELS WHEREBY PORTIONS OF SAID STRAPS MAY BE FOLDED INTO FLAT FACE CONTACTING RELATION WHEN SAID WALL PANELS ARE FOLDED INTO SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL RELATION TO EACH OTHER SO AS TO SECURE SAID HOLDING STRAP IN ITS HOLDING POSITION ASTRIDE THE CORNER DEFINED BY SAID WALL PANELS AT ONE END EDGE OF THE CARRIER. 